Adducts and curable compositions using same

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to novel adducts useful for improving the toughness and curable compositions using such toughening adducts. In a particular aspect, the present invention relates to novel toughening adducts and thermosetting resin formulations having improved fracture toughness using those toughening adducts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to novel adducts useful for improving toughness, and curable compositions using such adducts. The novel adducts may improve toughness, such as in terms of impact resistance, and/or adhesion in thermosetting resin formulations using those adducts.

2. Brief Description of Related Technology

Toughness generally is the ability of a material to absorb energy and undergo large permanent set without rupture. For many engineering adhesive applications, toughness is often the deciding factor. Plastics, because of their inherent brittleness, have heretofore been modified in a variety of ways in efforts to improve the toughness thereof. Epoxy resins, for example, which form a versatile glassy network when cured, exhibit excellent resistance to corrosion and solvents, good adhesion, reasonably high glass transition temperatures (T_(g)) and adequate electrical properties. Unfortunately, however, the poor fracture toughness of epoxy resins oftentimes limits the usefulness thereof in many commercial applications.

The impact strength, as well as other physical properties of crosslinked epoxy resins, is controlled by the chemical structure and molecular weight of the epoxy resin, weight ratio of the epoxy resin to the hardener, by any added fillers, and by the conditions used to cure the formulation. Unfortunately, crosslinked, glassy epoxy resins with a relatively high glass transition temperature (“T_(g)”) (>100° C.) are brittle in nature. The poor impact strength of high glass transition epoxy resins limits their usage as structural materials and use in or as composites.

Conventional toughening agents (e.g., carboxyl terminated butadiene nitrile rubbers, “CTBN”) are frequently unsuitable as additives in formulations where low temperature crash impact performance is desired.

Carbonyl biscaprolactam, such as is available commercially under the ALLINCO brand name from DSM Research, has been reported as a versatile, nontoxic reagent that converts hydroxy and amino groups of functional polymers into the corresponding caprolactam-blocked isocyanates without requiring the use of isocyanates. See Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 42, 5094-5097 (2003). For instance, in the context of primary mines, see the following reaction scheme I:

In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,257 (Mulhaupt) and International Patent Publication No. WO 2005/007766 A1 describe the preparation of a rubber modified epoxy composition containing a phenol-capped polyurethane pre-polymer as a toughening agent. The so-described toughening agents are believed to be the basis of the BETAMATE-brand product offering from Dow Automotive.

The low temperature performance properties of such BETAMATE-brand products could stand improvement. In addition, consumers would benefit from the offering of additional adduces and products using such adducts having different or more desirable physical property performance.

Accordingly, there is a need for novel adducts that are effective for improving the toughness of adhesive formulations, especially in formulations requiring good low temperature performance, and which formulations are based on thermosets such as epoxy, episulfides and/or benzoxazines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel adducts which are useful for improving the performance properties of thermosetting resin formulations, such as those based on epoxy, episulfide, benzoxazine and combinations thereof. The performance properties include improved impact resistance and adhesion to substrate surfaces.

The novel adducts may be represented by compounds within general formula I.

where R and R′ are each independently selected from polyethers, such as polypropylenel glycol (“PPG”) and polyTHF, perfluorinated polyethers (“PFP”), JEFFAMINE type backbones (as more fully described below), polydimethylsiloxane (“PDMS”) backbones (again, as more fully described below), LP3 type backbones (as more fully described below), and hydroxy terminated polybutadiene (“HPBD”) backbones, provided however that when R is PPG, R′ is not PPG or X is not ArO;

Z and Z′ are each independently selected from —CH₂-K-CO—, where K is C₁-C₁₂ linear or branched alkyl, C₅-C₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₅ aryl;

X is selected from ArO— or Ar0-C═O, where Ar is for example phenyl, biphenyl, bisphenol A, bisphenol, F, bisphenol S, bisphenol E, allyl, alkyl, alkenyl, carboxy, N-carbamoyl functionalized five to seven membered cyclic amides, epoxy ether or hydroxyl-functionalized ether; and

y is 1-4, and x is 1-3.

The novel adducts may be represented by compounds within general formula II.

where X, Z, R and y are as defined above.

For epoxy functionalized adducts, they may be represented by compounds within general formula III.

where M is an alkylene, cycloalkylene, or arylene linkage;

J is a linkage such as hydroxyalkylene (such as hydroxy ethylene), —OC═O, or a ring structure with L such as,

L is H or a ring structure with J as described above; and

R, Z′, R′, x and y are as defined above.

For phenol-functionalized adducts, they may be represented by compounds within general formula IV.

where Ar is an aryl group, and R, Z′, R′, x and y are as defined above.

For N-carbamoyl functionalized five to seven membered cyclic amide adducts, they may be represented by compounds within general formula V.

where R, Z′, R′, n, x and y are as defined above.

In order to improve low temperature fracture toughness performance properties, while conferring improved adhesion on substrates, such as steel, the inventive adducts should also have a low Tg value, such as below room temperature, desirably −20° C. and more desirably −40° C. or lower. In addition, other physical properties of the adduct may contribute to such low temperature performance, such as compatibility with the thermoset matrix and solubility parameters generally. To that end, the level of PDMS in R of the adduct, for instance, may be adjusted if desired within the range of about 5 to about 95%, such as about 20 to about 80%, desirably about 20% by weight of R in the adduct, to provide the adduct with the desirable Tg, particularly for improving wedge impact performance and improved adhesion. To the extent that R in the adduct is composed of a second (or third) backbone, the remaining portion of R may be a non-silicon-containing segment, such as one derived from a polypropylene glycol, of course bearing (meth)acrylate functionalization.

Adducts within formula I have been found to be useful as additives in one part thermosetting resin compositions, so as to improve physical properties, such as tensile peel strength values, tensile shear strength values and wedge impact properties

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

-   -   a. As noted above, the present invention provides novel adducts         which are useful for improving the performance properties of         thermosetting resin formulations, such as those based on epoxy,         episulfide, benzoxazine and combinations thereof.     -   b. The novel adducts may be represented by compounds within         general formula I.

where R and R′ are each independently selected from polyethers, such as PPG and polyTHF, PEP, JEFFAMINE type backbones, PDMS backbones, LP3 type backbones, and HPBD backbones, provided however that when R is PPG, R′ is not PPG or X is not ArO;

Z and Z′ are each independently selected from —CH₂-K-CO—, where K is C₁-C₁₂ linear or branched alkyl, C₅-C₁₂ cycloalkyl, or C₆-C₁₅ aryl;

X is selected from ArO— or Ar0-C═O, where Ar is for example phenyl, biphenyl, bisphenol A, bisphenol F, bisphenol S, bisphenol E, allyl, alkyl, alkenyl, carboxy, N-carbamoyl functionalized five to seven membered cyclic amides, epoxy ether or hydroxyl-functionalized ether; and

y is 1-4, and x is 1-3.

The novel adducts may be represented by compounds within general formula II.

where X, Z, R and y are as defined above.

For epoxy functionalized adducts, they may be represented by compounds within general formula III.

where M is an alkylene, cycloalkylene, or arylene linkage;

J is a linkage such as hydroxyalkylene (such as hydroxy ethylene), —OC═O, or a ring structure with L such as,

L is H or a ring structure with J as described above; and

R, Z′, R′, x and y are as defined above.

For phenol-functionalized adducts, they may be represented by compounds within general formula IV.

where Ar is an aryl group, and R, Z′, R′, x and y are as defined above.

For N-carbamoyl functionalized five to seven membered cyclic amide adducts, they may be represented by compounds within general formula V.

where n is 0-2 and R, Z′, R′, x and y are as defined above.

With reference to the building blocks used to prepare the inventive addicts, the linkage represented by “R” and “R′” may be formed from polyethers and polythioethers functionalized with one or more of hydroxy, mercapto and amino groups. Such polyethers may originate from commercially available starting materials for instance the amine-functionalized polyethers sold under the JEFFAMINE tradename, the mercapto-functionalized polythioethers sold under the LP-3 tradename and/or the hydroxy-functionalized polyethers sold under the trade designation, PPG.

Each of these different functionalized polyethers and polythioethers are available commercially, or can be prepared, in a variety of molecular weights. With the different molecular weights, physical property changes can be imported into the inventive adduct to tailor the adduct for the specific end use application, for which it is intended to be used.

Amine-functionalized polyethers include oxyethylene diamines, oxyethylene triamines, polyoxyethylene diamines, polyoxyethylene triamines, oxypropylene diamines, oxypropylene triamines, polyoxypropylene diamines, polyoxypropylene triamines, dimethylene glycol dipropyl amine and/or derivatives and adducts thereof, and combinations thereof.

Commercially available examples of such polyether amine-based hardeners—amine-functionalized polyethers—include those from BASE Corporation, Mt. Olive, N.J., under the trade designation 4, 7, 10 TTD, and Huntsman Corporation, Houston, Tex., under the JEFFAMINE tradename, such as JEFFAMINE D-230, JEFFAMINE D-400, JEFFAMINE D-2000, JEFFAMINE T-403, JEFFAMINE ED-600, JEFFAMINE ED-900, JEFFAMINE E-2001, JEFFAMINE EDR-148, JEFFAMINE XTJ-509, JEFFAMINE T-3000, JEFFAMINE T-5000, and combinations thereof.

The JEFFAMINE D series are diamine based products and may be represented by

where x is about 2.6 (for JEFFAMINE D-230), 5.6 (for JEFFAMINE D-400) and 33.1 (for JEFFAMINE D-2000), respectively.

The JEFFAMINE T series are trifunctional amine products based on propylene oxide and may be represented by

where x, y and z are set forth below in Table A.

TABLE A Approx. Mole JEFFAMINE Initiator (A) Mol. Wt PO T-403 Trimethylolpropane 440 5-6 T-3000 Glycerine 3,000 50 T-5000 Glycerine 5,000 85

More specifically, the JEFFAMINE T-403 product is a trifunctional amine and may be represented by

where x+y+z is 5.3 (CAS Registry No. 39423-51-3).

The JEFFAMINE ED series are polyether diamine-based products and may be represented by

where a, b and c are set forth below in Table B.

TABLE B Approx. Value Approx. JEFFAMINE b a + c Mol. Wt ED-600 8.5 2.5 600 ED-900 15.5 2.5 900 ED-2001 40.5 2.5 2,000

As the mercapto-functionalized polythioethers, many materials may be used. For instance, polysulfides of the general formulae may be used

where R is an alkyl ether, such as —(CH₂)₂—O—CH₂—O—(CH₂)₂—, and a +b+c=n.

A particularly desirable material is known as THIOKOL LP-3, available commercially from Rohm and Haas Company, Philadelphia, Pa., where n is 6 and about 2 mole percent branching exists. LP-3 is also reported to have a molecular weight of about 1,000.

Another particularly desirable material is available commercially from Akcros Chemicals, Manchester, Great Britain under the tradename THIOPLAST, such as G1 (n is 19-21, 1.8-2 percent thiol content, and a 3,300-3,700 molecular weight), G4 (n is less than 7, less than 5.9 percent thiol content, and less than 1,100 molecular weight), G12 (n is 23-26, 1.5-1.7 percent thiol content, and a 3,900-4,400 molecular weight), G21 (n is 12-15, 2.5-3.1 percent thiol content, and a 2,100-2,600 molecular weight), G22 (n is 14-18, 2.1-2.7 percent thiol content, and a 2,400-3,100 molecular weight), G112 (n is 23-25, 1.5-1.7 percent thiol content, and a 3,900-4,300 molecular weight), and G131 (n is 30-38, 1.5-1.7 percent thiol content, and a 5,000-6,500 molecular weight). The THIOPLAST materials are reported to be prepared from the polycondensation of bis-(2-chloro-ethyl) formal with alkali polysulfide.

(Meth)acrylate-functionalized polydimethyl siloxanes of various molecular weights may be used as the building block for this portion of the adduct, as well.

Commercial sources for such (meth)acrylate-functionalized polydimethyl siloxanes include Genesee Silicone, Gelest Silicone and Wacker Silicones. For instance, methacryloxypropyl terminated PDMS [molecular weight 900-1200] is available from Gelest under the trade designation DMS-R11, methacryloxymethyl terminated PDMS [molecular weight ˜1360] is available from Wacker under the trade designation SLM 446016-15 VP, 3-acryloxy-2-hydroxypropyl terminated PDMS [molecular weight 1000-1250] is available from Gelest under the trade designation DMS-U22, acryloxy terminated ethylene oxide PDMS [molecular weight 1500-1600] is available from Gelest under the trade designation DBE-U12 and from Goldschmidt under the trade designation TEGO V-Si 2250 [molecular weight ˜2500].

Again, the different molecular weights of this segment impact desirable physical properties of the adduct, so that the resulting adduct may be more or less suitable for a variety of end use applications.

A polyalkylene glycol, such as polypropylene glycol [available commercial from Aldrich Chemical Co., molecular weight ˜10,000] may also be used as a building block of the inventive adduct. Here, too, different molecular weights of this segment impact desirable physical properties of the adduct, so that the resulting adduct may be more or less suitable for a variety of end use applications

These materials may be used as building blocks individually or they may be used in various combinations. The intended end use application will suggest to those of ordinary skill in the art whether to choose one or the other or a combination to provide the physical property set beneficial to that end use application.

Thus, for instance in order to prepare the inventive adduct with polyurethane segments, a polyol, such as trimethylol propane, would be reacted under mildly elevated temperature conditions with an isocyanate, desirably a polyisocyanate, such as hexamethylene diisocyanate, in the presence of the building block(s) of the R and R′ segments.

Isocyanates suitable for use in this adduct building reaction include polyisocyanates, such as a diisocyanate (for instance an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic or araliphatic one) or triisocyanate, or, if desirable, in combination with chain lengtheners (short-chain polyhydroxyl, polysulfhydryl or polyamine compounds), or a polyisocyanate prepolymer derived from a prepolymer polyamine, such as a prepolymer polyetheramine.

A variety of diisocyanates are useful for reaction in this regard and the choice of any particular one will be left to those persons of ordinary skill in the art, likely to be dictated in part by the commercial availability and in part by the end use properties desired.

Useful diisocyanates include ethylene diisocyanate, trimethylene diisocyanate, tetramethylene diisocyanate, pentamethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, heptamethylene diisocyanate, octamethylene diisocyanate, decamethylene diisocyanate, dodecamethylene diisocyanate, tetradecamethylene diisocyanate, hexadecamethylene diisocyanate, octadecamethylene diisocyanate, eicosamethylene diisocyanate, cyclohexamethylene diisocyanate, cyclopenthalene diisocyanate, or cyclohepthalene diisocyanate, or bis-cyclohexalene, cyclohexylmethylene diisocyanate, tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate, phenyl diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate (such as 2,4-diisocyanatotoluene and 2,6-diisocyanatotoluene), 4,4′-diphenyl diisocyanate, 4,4′-diphenylene methane diisocyanate, dianisidine diisocyanate, 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate, 4,4′-diphenyl ether diisocyanate, p-phenylene diisocyanate, 4,4′-dicyclo-hexylmethane diisocyanate, 1,3-bis-(isocyanatomethyl) cyclohexane, cyclohexylene diisocyanate, tetrachlorophenylene diisocyanate, 2,6-diethyl-p-phenylenediisocyanate, 3,5-diethyl-4,4′-diisocyanatodiphenyl-methane, tetramethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, ethylene diisocyanate, cyclohexylene diisocyanate, nonamethylene diisocyanate, octadecamethylene diisocyanate, 2-chloropropane diisocyanate, 2,2′-diethylether diisocyanate, 3-(dimethylamine) pentane diisocyanate, tetrachlorophenylene diisocyanate-1,4, 3-heptane diisocyanate and transvinylene diisocyanate.

Additional examples of suitable isocyanates are urethanized 4,4′-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane, carbodiimidized 4,4′-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane, the adduct formed from diisocyanatotoluene and trimethylolpropane, the trimer formed from diisocyanatotoluene, diisocyanato-m-xylylene, N,N′-di-(4-methyl-3-isocyanatophenyl)-urea, mixed trimerization products of diisocyanatotoluene and 1,6-diisocyanatohexamethylene, 1,6-diisocyanatohexane, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-isocyano-3-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane (isophorene diisocyanate), N,N′,N′″-tri-(6-isocyanatohexyl)-biuret, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,6-diisocyanatohexane, 1-methyl-2,4-diisocyanatocyclohexane, diisocyanate, 4,4′-diisocyanatodicyclohexylmethane, trimeric isophorene, diisocyanate, trimeric hexane diisocyanate and methyl 2,6-diisocyanatohexanoate.

As noted above, chain lengtheners may be used as well, examples of which include diols and polyols, such as 1,4-butanediol, 1,1,1-trimethylolpropane or hydroquinone 2-hydroxyethyl ether, or diamines, such as diaminoethane, 1,6-diaminohexane, piperazine, 2,5-dimethylpiperazine, 1-amino-3-aminomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexane, 4,4′-diaminocyclohexylmethane, 1,4-diaminocyclohexane and 1,2-propylenediamine, or hydrazine, amino acid hydrazides, hydrazides of semicarbazidocarboxylic acids, bis-hydrazides and bis-semicarbazides.

A phenolic compound may then be reacted with the isocyanate-functionalized prepolymer formed in the previous reaction step.

Phenolic compounds suitable for use in this adduct building reaction include any di- or poly-phenolic compound, though it is desirable for the phenolic compound to be a bisphenol compound, such as A, F, S or E, or a biphenol.

In general formula I, where terminal amine and/or hydroxy groups are present, they may be reacted with carbonyl biscaprolactam (“CBC”) to produce the corresponding CBC-capped adducts. (See e.g. general formula V.)

Such CBC-capped adducts may be used directly as tougheners themselves in thermosetting resin formulations or they may be further reacted with other functionalalized polymers (such as those polymers bearing one or more amine, hydroxyl, mercapto, epoxy or episulfide groups) to form chain extended block copolymers via a urethane or urea or thiourethane or oxazolidone linkage. These so-formed chain extended block copolymers can thus also be used to toughen thermosetting resin formulations. In addition, the use of such chain extended block copolymers can assist in compatabilizing otherwise incompatible adducts for use in thermosetting resin formulations.

The inventive adducts can be readily prepared in a variety of ways, which are discussed in the Examples section below.

Specific generalized structures of adducts within the scope of the invention include:

In these generalized adduct structures, all applicable designations are as used in connection with formula I.

As noted above, the thermosetting resin formulations embrace epoxy, episulfide and/or benzoxazine. Representative epoxy monomers contemplated for use herein the preparation of invention toughening agents include bisphenol F diglycidyl ether, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, 4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene diepoxide, butanediol diglycidyl ether, neopentylglycol diglycidyl ether, 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl-3,4-epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate, limonene diepoxide, hexanediol diglycidyl ether, trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether, aniline diglycidyl ether, diglycidyl ether of propylene glycol, cyanuric acid triglycidyl ether, ortho-phthalic acid diglycidyl ether, diglycidyl ester of linoleic dimer acid, dicyclopentadiene diepoxide, diglycidyl ether of tetrachloro bisphenol A, 1,1,1-tris(p-hydroxyphenyl)ethane glycidyl ether, tetra glycidyl ether of tetrskis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane, epoxy phenol novolac resins, epoxy cresol novolac resins, tetraglycidyl-4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane, and the like.

Among the commercially available epoxy resins suitable for use herein are polyglycidyl derivatives of phenolic compounds, such as those available under the tradenames EPON 828, EPON 1001, EPON 1009, and EPON 1031, from Shell Chemical Co.; DER 331, DER 332, DER 334, and DER 542 from Dow Chemical Co.; GY285 from Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Tarrytown, N.Y.; and BREN-S from Nippon Kayaku, Japan. Other suitable epoxy resins include polyepoxides prepared from polyols and the like and polyglycidyl derivatives of phenol-formaldehyde novolacs, the latter of which are available commercially under the tradenames DEN 431, DEN 438, and DEN 439 from Dow Chemical Company. Cresol analogs are also available commercially ECN 1235, ECN 1273, and ECN 1299 from Ciba Specialty Chemicals. SU-8 is a bisphenol A-type epoxy novolac available from Resolution. Polyglycidyl adducts of amines, aminoalcohols and polycarboxylic acids are also useful in this invention, commercially available resins of which include GLYAMINE 135, GLYAMINE 125, and GLYAMINE 115 from F.I.C. Corporation; ARALDITE MY-720, ARALDITE MY-721, ARALDITE 0500, and ARALDITE 0510 from Ciba Specialty Chemicals and PGA-X and PGA-C from the Sherwin-Williams Co. And of course combinations of the different epoxy resins are also desirable for use herein.

Representative episulfide monomers for use herein are the thiirane counterparts to the epoxy monomers noted in the preceding paragraphs.

Representative benzoxazine monomers for use herein.

The benzoxazine may be embraced by the following structure:

where o is 1-4, X is selected from a direct bond (when o is 2), alkyl (when o is 1), alkylene (when o is 2-4), carbonyl (when o is 2), thiol (when o is 1), thioether (when o is 2), sulfoxide (when o is 2), and sulfone (when o is 2), R₁ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl and aryl, and R₄ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl and alkenyl.

Alternatively, the benzoxazine may be embraced by the following structure:

where p is 2, Y is selected from biphenyl (when p is 2), diphenyl methane (when p is 2), diphenyl isopropane (when p is 2), diphenyl sulfide (when p is 2), diphenyl sulfoxide (when p is 2), diphenyl sulfone (when p is 2), and diphenyl ketone (when p is 2), and R₄ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl and alkenyl.

More specifically, within structure BOZ-A the benzoxazine may be embraced by the following structure BOZ-C:

where X is selected from a direct bond, CH₂, C(CH₃)₂, C=0, S, S═O and O═S═O, R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and are selected from hydrogen, alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, propyls and butyls, alkenyl, such as allyl, and aryl and R₄ are the same or different and are selected from hydrogen or alkenyl, such as allyl.

Representative benzoxazines within structure BOZ-C include:

where R₁, R₂ and R₄ are as defined above.

Though not embraced by benzoxazine structures BOZ-A or BOZ-B, additional benzoxazines are within the following structures:

where R₁, R₂ and R₄ are as defined above, and R₃ is defined as R₁ R₂ or R₄.

Specific examples of these benzoxazines include:

The benzoxazine component may include the combination of multifunctional benzoxazines and monofunctional benzoxazines, or may be the combination of one or more multifunctional benzoxazines or one or more monofunctional benzoxazines.

Examples of monofunctional benzoxazines may be embraced by the following structure:

where R is alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, propyls and butyls, or aryl with or without substitution on one, some or all of the available substitutable sites, and R₄ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl and alkenyl.

For instance, monofunctional benzoxazines may be embraced by the structure

where in this case R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, each of which being optionally substituted or interupted by one or more O, N, S, C═O, COO, and NHC═O, and aryl; m is 0-4; and R₁-R₅ are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, each of which being optionally substituted or interupted by one or more O, N, S, C═O, COOH, and NHC═O, and aryl.

Specific examples of such a monofunctional benzoxazine are:

where R is as defined above; or

Many benzoxazines are presently available commercially from several sources, including Huntsman Advanced Materials; Georgia-Pacific Resins, Inc.; and Shikoku Chemicals Corporation, Chiba, Japan, the last of which offers among others B-a, B-m, F-a, C-a, Pd and F-a benzoxazine resins.

If desired, however, instead of using commercially available sources, the benzoxazine may typically be prepared by reacting a phenolic compound, such as a bisphenol A, bisphenol F, bisphenol S or thiodiphenol, with an aldehyde and an alkyl or aryl amine. U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,516, hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference, describes a method of forming benzoxazines, where the reaction time can vary from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on reactant concentration, reactivity and temperature. See also Burke et al., J. Org. Chem., 30(10), 3423 (1965); see generally U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,091 (Schreiber), U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,484 (Schreiber), U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,452 (Schreiber) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,911 (Schreiber).

The benzoxazine should be present in the inventive composition in an amount in the range of about 10 to about 90 percent by weight, such as about 25 (to about 75 percent by weight, desirably about 35 to about 65 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

Benzoxazine polymerization can be self-initiated under elevated temperature conditions and also by inclusion of cationic initiators, such as Lewis acids, and other known cationic initiators, such as metal halides; organometallic derivatives; metallophorphyrin compounds such as aluminum phthalocyanine chloride; methyl tosylate, methyl triflate, and triflic acid; and oxyhalides. Likewise, basic materials, such as imidizaoles, may be used to initiate polymerization.

Typically, the composition including the inventive adduct have about 40 to about 95 weight percent of the thermoset component, about 5 to about 50 weight percent of the inventive adduct, and about 0.2 to about 10 weight percent of the curative.

As noted above, the thermosetting resin formulation may include as the thermoset component any epoxy, episulfide or benzoxazine, at least a portion of which is a multifunctional monomer. Ordinarily, the multifunctional monomer used in the thermosetting resin formulation should be included in amount within the range of about 20 weight percent to about 100 weight percent of the thermosetting resin formulation.

A monofunctional monomer, if present, should ordinarily be used as a reactive diluent, or crosslink density modifier. In the event such a monofunctional monomer is included as a portion of the thermosetting resin formulation, such resin should be employed in an amount of up to about 20 weight percent, based on the total thermosetting resin formulation.

As employed herein, the term “curing agent” or “curative” refers to polymerization promoters, co-curing agents, catalysts, initiators or other additives designed to participate in or promote curing of the adhesive formulation. With respect to epoxide-based adhesive formulations, such curing agents include polymerization promoters and catalysts such as, for example, anhydrides, amines, imidazoles, amides, thiols, carboxylic acids, phenols, dicyandiamide, urea, hydrazine, hydrazide, amino-formaldehyde resins, melamine-formaldehyde resins, amine-boron trihalide complexes, quaternary ammonium salts, quaternary phosphonium salts, tri-aryl sulfonium salts, di-aryl iodonium salts, diazonium salts, and the like, as well as combinations of any two or more thereof, optionally also including a transition metal complex. Presently preferred curing agents and catalysts for epoxide-based formulations include anhydrides, amines, imidazoles, and the like.

As readily recognized by those of skill in the art, curing agents contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention will vary with the reactive functionality(ies) present, the presence of optional co-reactant(s), and the like. Typically, the quantity of curing agent will fall in the range of about 1 percent by weight up to about 50 percent by weight of the total composition, with presently preferred amounts of curing agent falling in the range of about 5 percent by weight up to about 40 percent by weight of the total composition.

Initiators contemplated for use with epoxide-based adhesive formulations include hydroxy functionalized compounds such as, for example, alkylene glycols. Preferred alkylene glycols include ethylene glycols and propylene glycols.

Fillers contemplated for optional use in the practice of the present invention include, for example, aluminum nitride, boron nitride, silicon carbide, diamond, graphite, beryllium oxide, magnesia, silicas, such as fumed silica or fused silica, alumina, perfluorinated hydrocarbon polymers (i.e., TEFLON™), thermoplastic polymers, thermoplastic elastomers, mica, glass powder and the like. Preferably, the particle size of these fillers will be about 20 microns. If aluminum nitride is used as a filler, it is preferred that it be passivated via an adherent, conformal coating (e.g., silica, or the like). Some of those fillers may impart properties to the adhesive formulation such as, for example, reduced thermal expansion of the cured adhesive, reduced dielectric constant, improved toughness, increased hydrophobicity, and the like.

Flexibilizers (also called plasticizers) contemplated for optional use in the practice of the present invention include branched polyalkanes or polysiloxanes that, lower the T_(g) of the formulation. Such flexibilizers include, for example, polyethers, polyesters, polythiols, polysulfides, and the like. If used, flexibilizers typically are present in the range of about 0.5 percent up to about 30 percent by weight of the formulation.

Dyes and/or pigments may be used in the practice of the present invention. When present, such dyes and pigments are typically present in the range of about 0.5 up to about 5 weight %, relative to the weight of the base formulation.

Conditions suitable to cure invention adhesive formulations comprise subjecting invention adhesive formulations to a temperature of at least about 120° C. but less than about 190° C. for about 0.5 up to about 60 minutes, such as 30 minutes at 180° C.

The present invention provides methods for adhesively attaching a first article to a second article. Such methods include

(a) applying an inventive composition to a first article,

(b) bringing together the first article and a second article into intimate contact to form an assembly, where the first article and the second article are separated only by the adhesive composition applied in step (a), and thereafter,

(c) subjecting the assembly to conditions suitable to cure the composition.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, there are provided assemblies produced by these methods.

The invention will now be illustrated by way of the following examples.

EXAMPLES Example 1 General Preparation of Polyurethane Type Adducts

One equivalent of a functionalized polyether or polydimethyl siloxane backbone material (such as one terminated at each end with one of hydroxyl, amino, mercapto or carboxyl) is reacted with 2 equivalents of a diisocyanate (e.g., hexamethylene diisocyanate or isophorone diisocyanate) by bringing into contact the two materials with or without the presence of a chain extender such as trimethylol propane, under appropriate catalysis at a temperature between 20 and 100° C., particularly between 60-80° C., under an inert atmosphere. The reaction is maintained until the isocyanate content indicates a value which indicates complete reaction. The materials may be used individually or in blends in this reaction.

The above intermediate isocyanate terminated adduct is then capped by reaction of the terminal isocyanate functional groups with the required capping agent, such as a phenol (e.g., 2,2′diallyl bisphenol A or resorcinol), a diamine (e.g., JEFFAMINE D-2000 or HYCAR 1300X21) or an epoxy (e.g. the blend of EPON 828/EPON 1001)

In this manner Adducts A1-2, C1-6, R1-4, S, T, W, Z, AB and AC may be synthesised.

In the case of Adducts D1-D8 an isocyanate-free synthesis route is employed whereby a diamino terminated PDMS material is reacted with 2 equivalents of a CBC-blocked JEFFAMINE to afford the corresponding (BC-terminated adduct This is then capped by reaction of the terminal CBC groups with an appropriate phenolic capping agents

Example 2 Preparation of an A-B-A Block Copolymer Type Adduct

Here, one equivalent of a functionalized polyether or polydimethyl siloxane backbone material (such as one terminated at each end with one of hydroxyl, anhydride, (meth)acrylate, or amine) as a Block B is reacted with an appropriate amount (2 equivalents for example) of a Block A material such as:

-   -   Reaction of amino/mercapto/hydroxy terminated Block B material         with a lactone such as caprolactone [Adducts B1-4],     -   Reaction of an amine- or mercapto-containing material by Michael         addition reaction of one or more equivalents of a JEFFAMINE onto         an acrylate [Adducts K1-10] or methacrylate [Adducts N1-9]         terminated Block B material, or reaction of an amine- or         mercapto-terminated Block B material by Michael addition         reaction onto a (meth)acrylate-terminated Block A segment         [Adduct Y], or     -   Reaction of an anhydride terminated Block B material with one or         more equivalents of an amine/mercapto/hydroxy terminated Block A         material [Adduct E]

The Block A and B materials in proper stoichiometric amounts are heated to an appropriate temperature for a period of time of 1-24 hours, depending on the nature and identity of the reactants, to form the an A-B-A block copolymer type adduct.

Example 3 Capping of Amine Terminated Adducts with Epoxy Groups

This reaction was carried out generally according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,532. Thus, a blend of EPON 828 and EPON 1001 in appropriate molar ratios was placed into a reaction vessel and heated with mechanical stirring at a temperature of 110° C. for a period of time sufficient to create a flowable melted epoxy blend. JEFFAMINE T-403 was then added dropwise and the reaction allowed to stir for a period of time of 1 hour at a temperature of 110° C. An appropriate amine terminated adduct was then added dropwise to this reaction mixture, and the reaction was stirred for a further 1 hour period of time at the same temperature, and then allowed to cool to room temperature.

Adducts F, H, M1-10, P1-9, and W were prepared according to this procedure.

Example 4 Capping of Amine Terminated Adducts with CBC

This reaction was carried out generally with reference to Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 42, 5094-5097 (2003).

An amine terminated adduct and an appropriate required amount of carbonyl biscaprolactam are placed into a reaction vessel, heated with stirring to a temperature of 100-150° C. for a period of time of between 1-24 hours and then allowed to cool.

Adducts I, J, L1-9, O1-7, U1, X, AD1-3 and AE were prepared according to this procedure.

Example 5

An adduct exhibiting good low temperature wedge impact toughening properties was prepared by a Michael addition reaction of JEFFAMINE D-2000 onto the methacrylate double bond of a (meth)acrylate-terminated polydimethyl siloxane, DMS R11. The initial amine-terminated Michael adduct (Adducts K1-10, N1-9) was then capped by reaction with carbonyl biscaprolactam (Adducts L1-9, O1-7) or epoxy (Adducts P1-9, M1-10) as depicted in the following scheme and as described in Examples 3 and 4 previously:

More specifically, in a clean, dry round bottom flask JEFFAMINE D-2000 (80 g, 0.04 mol) was heated to a temperature of 170° C. and (meth)acrylate terminated PDMS, DMS R11 (21 g, 0.02 mol) was added dropwise with stirring. On complete addition of the DMS R11, the reaction was stirred for a further period of 90 minutes before cooling to room temperature. The initial adduct (Adduct N7) was obtained as a yellow, silk-like low viscosity resin.

To cap with CBC, the resin obtained above (37.88 g, 0.0075 mol) was mixed with carbonyl biscaprolactam (3.78 g, 0.015 mol), deaerated under vacuum, flushed with inert gas and heated at a temperature of 100° C. for a period of time of 90 minutes. The reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature to afford a yellow, gel-like/semi-solid resin (Adduct O7).

Alternatively, to cap with epoxy, a reaction was carried out generally in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,532 (Schenkel), such as in Example 1 thereof.

To cap with phenol instead, a reaction was carried out as described below in the following paragraph, which describes a one-pot synthesis.

Synthesis of Adduct AC with 4:1 Ratio of PPG to PDMS

In a clean, dry round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical overhead stirrer, nitrogen inlet, thermometer and a pressure equalising dropping funnel was charged PPG 2000 (120 g, 0.06 mol), silanol DMS C16 (10.875 g, 0.015 mol., trimethylol propane (0.76 g, 0.0056 mol) and hexamethylene diisocyanate (22.96 g, 0.136 mol). Dibutyl tin dilaurate was added as a catalyst and the solution stirred under an inert atmosphere and the temperature raised to 60° C. at which point reaction is observed to start with the formation of bubbles and an increase in temperature to 80° C.-120° C. The contents were stirred at a temperature of 80-120° C. for a period of time of 90 minutes and then cooled to a temperature of 80-90° C. 2,2′-diallyl bisphenol A was added with stirring continued for a further period of time of 90 minutes, with the final 30 minutes of stirring being performed under reduced pressure to remove volatiles, and then cooled to room temperature. The so-formed adduct is believed to have a structure similar to that shown below:

Example 6

Table 1 represents a set of model formulations prepared with different adducts.

TABLE 1 Sample Nos./Amt (wt %) Component A Type Identity I II III IV V B Epoxy EPON 828 65 60 50 40 30 45 Toughener Adduct 5 10 20 30 20 20 POLYDIS 3614* 20 20 20 20 40 — Epoxy-Jeffamine Adduct** — — — — — 20 CARDOLITE 2513*** 4 4 4 4 4 4 Silica Filler AEROSIL R202 4 4 4 4 4 4 Curative DICY 4 4 4 4 4 4 PHENURON 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 *Nitrile rubber modified epoxy prepolymer based on DGEBPA, available commercially from Struktol Company of America, Stow, OH **Prepared generally in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,532 (Schenkel), such as in Example 1 thereof ***Reactive diluent

Tables 1A-1E show a list of raw material components used to prepare many of the adducts referred to herein, and presented in the examples which follow.

TABLE 1A Adduct Raw Material A1 PPG 2000, HMDI, TMP, 2,2′-DABPA A2 PolyTHF 2000, IPDI, TMP, 2,2′-DABPA B1 DMS C15, Caprolactone n = 16 B2 DMS C15, Caprolactone n = 24 B3 DMS C21, Caprolactone n = 16 B4 DMS C21, Caprolactone n = 24 C1 B1 + hexamethylene diisocyanate + 2,2′-diallylbisphenol A C2 B2 + hexamethylene diisocyanate + 2,2′-diallylbisphenol A C3 B3 + hexamethylene diisocyanate + 2,2′-diallylbisphenol A C4 B4 + hexamethylene diisocyanate + 2,2′-diallylbisphenol A C5 SB 800 + hexamethylene diisocyanate + 2,2′-diallylbisphenol A C6 SB 801 + hexamethylene diisocyanate + 2,2′-diallylbisphenol A

TABLE 1B Adduct Raw Material D1 CBC Capped JEFFAMINE D-400/PDMS 1218/resorcinol D2 CBC Capped JEFFAMINE D-400/PDMS 1218/2-allyl phenol D3 CBC Capped JEFFAMINE D-400/PDMS 3345/resorcinol D4 CBC Capped JEFFAMINE D-400/PDMS 3345/2-allyl phenol D5 CBC Capped JEFFAMINE D-2000/PDMS 1218/resorcinol D6 CBC Capped JEFFAMINE D-2000/PDMS 1218/2-allyl phenol D7 CBC Capped JEFFAMINE D-2000/PDMS 3345/resorcinol D8 CBC Capped JEFFAMINE D-2000/PDMS 3345/2-allyl phenol E DMS Z21/JEFFAMINE D-2000 F E + EPON 828/EPON 1001 G E @ 150° C. H G/EPON 828/EPON 1001 I E + Carbonyl biscaprolactam J G + Carbonyl biscaprolactam K1 JEFFAMINE D-2000 + DMS-U22 K2 JEFFAMINE D-2000 + DBE-U12 K3 JEFFAMINE D-400 + DBE-U12 K4 JEFFAMINE D-2000 + TEGOMERV-Si 2250 K5 JEFFAMINE D-400 + TEGOMER V-Si 2250 K6 JEFFAMINE D-2000 + DMS U22 K7 JEFFAMINE D-4000 + DBE U12 K8 JEFFAMINE D-4000 + TEGOMER V-Si 2250 K9 JEFFAMINE T-5000 + DBE U12 (2:1) K10 JEFFAMINE T-5000 + DBE U12 (1:1)

TABLE 1C Adduct Raw Material L1 K1 + CBC L2 K2 + CBC L3 K3 + CBC L4 K4 + CBC L5 JEFFAMINE D-4000 + DBE U12 + CBC L6 JEFFAMINE D-4000 + DMS U22 + CBC L7 JEFFAMINE D-4000 + TEGOMER V-Si 2250 + CBC L8 K9 + CBC L9 K10 + CBC M1 K1 + EPON 828/EPON 1001 M2 K2 + EPON 828/EPON 1001 M3 K3 + EPON 828/EPON 1001 M4 K9 + EPON 828/EPON 1001 M5 K4 + EPON 828/EPON 1001 M6 K5 + EPON 828/EPON 1001 M7 DMS U22 + JEFFAMINE D-4000 + EPON 828/EPON 1001 M8 K7 + EPON 828/EPON 1001 M9 K8 + EPON 828/EPON 1001 M10 K10 + EPON 828/EPON 1001 N1 SLM 446016-15 VP + JEFFAMINE D-2000 N2 SLM 446016-15 VP + JEFFAMINE D-400 N3 SLM 446016-15 VP + JEFFAMINE D-4000 N4 SLM 446016-50 VP + JEFFAMINE D-2000 N5 SLM 446016-50 VP + JEFFAMINE D-400 N6 SLM 446016-50 VP + JEFFAMINE D-4000 N7 DMS-R11 + JEFFAMINE D-2000 N8 DMS-R11 + JEFFAMINE D-400 N9 DMS-R11 + JEFFAMINE D-4000

TABLE 1D Adduct Raw Material O1 N1 + CBC O2 N3 + CBC O3 N9 + CBC O4 N4 + CBC O5 N5 + CBC O6 N6 + CBC O7 N7 + CBC P1 N1 + EPON 828/EPON 1001 P2 N2 + EPON 828/EPON 1001 P3 N3 + EPON 828/EPON 1001 P4 N4 + EPON 828/EPON 1001 P5 N5 + EPON 828/EPON 1001 P6 N6 + EPON 828/EPON 1001 P7 N7 + EPON 828/EPON 1001 P8 N8 + EPON 828/EPON 1001 P9 N9 + EPON 828/EPON 1001 R1 DMS-C15 + HMDI + 2,2′-DABPA R2 DMS-C15 + HMDI + Resorcinol R3 DMS-C15 + MDI + 2,2′-DABPA R4 DMS-C15 + MDI + Resorcinol S TEGOMER C-Si 2342 + HMDI + EPON 828/1001 T TEGOMER H-Si 2311, HMDI, JEFFAMINE D-2000 U1 T + CBC U2 T + EPON 828/1001 V TEGOMER C-Si 2342 + HMDI + HYCAR 1300X21 W V + EPON 828/1001 X V + CBC Y VTBN 1300X43 + PDMS 1218

TABLE 1E Adduct Raw Material Z TEGOMER H-Si 2311 + HMDI + EPON 828/1001 AA Poly-THF-block-poly-CPL + DMS-C21 + 3-glycidoxypropyl trimethoxy silane AB LP3 + TMP + HMDI + 2,2′-DABPA AC PPG 2000 + DMS C15 + TMP + HMDI + 2,2′-DABPA AD1 JEFFAMINE D-2000 + DMS-A12 (10 mol. %) + CBC AD2 JEFFAMINE D-2000 + DMS-A12 (20 mol. %) + CBC AD3 JEFFAMINE D-2000 + DMS-A12 (50 mol. %) + CBC AE JEFFAMINE D-2000 + CBC

The following legend is useful in connection with Tables 1A-1E above.

-   PPG 2000=Polypropylene glycol (mol. wt. 2000) -   TMP=Trimethylol propane -   2,2′-DABPA=2,2′-Diallyl bisphenol A -   Poly THF 2000=polytetrahydrofuran (mol. wt. 2000) -   IPDI=Isophorone diisocyanate -   DMAP=N,N′-dimethylaminopyridine -   MDI=HMDI=Hexamethylene diisocyanate -   HYCAR 1300X21=amine terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile resin -   VTBN 1300X43=vinyl terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile resin -   PolyTHF-block-poly-CPL=polytetrahydrofuran-poly-caprolactone block     co-polymer -   LP 3=Liquid polysulphide resin     Silane/Silicone Materials:     From Gelest: -   DMS-A12=Bis-(3-aminopropyl) terminated PDMS (mol. wt. 900-1000) -   DMS-C15=Hydroxy ethylene oxide propyl terminated PDMS (mol. wt.     1000) -   DMS-C21=Hydroxy ethylene oxide propyl terminated PDMS (mol. wt.     4500-5500) -   DMS-R11=Methacryloxypropyl terminated PDMS (mol. wt. 900-1200) -   DMS-U22=(3-Acryloxy-2-hydroxypropyl) terminated PDMS (mol. wt.     1000-1200) -   DBE-U12=Acryloxy terminated ethylene oxide dimethylsiloxane-ethylene     oxide ABA block copolymer (mol. wt. 1500-1600) -   DMS-Z21=Succinic anhydride terminated PDMS (mol. wt. 600-800) -   PDMS 1218=Bis-(3-aminopropyl) terminated PDMS (mol. wt. ˜1200)     From Wacker Silicones: -   PDMS 1218=Bis-(3-aminopropyl) terminated PDMS (mol. wt. ˜1200) -   PDMS 3345=Bis-(3-aminopropyl) terminated PDMS (mol. wt. ˜3350) -   SLM 446016-15 VP=Bis-(methacryloxy)methyl terminated PDMS (mol. wt.     ˜1,330) -   SLM 446016-50 VP=Bis-(methacryloxy)methyl terminated PDMS (mol. wt.     ˜3,880) -   SLM 446200-350 #SB 800=Hydroxy terminated PDMS-co-polycaprolactone     copolymer (mol. wt. ˜5800) -   SLM 446200-350 #SB 801=Hydroxy terminated PDMS-co-polycaprolactone     copolymer (mol. wt. ˜9030)     From Tego Chemie: -   TEGOMER V-Si 2250=Linear acryloxy terminated organo-functional PDMS     (mol. wt. ˜2500). -   TEGOMER C-Si 2342=Linear carboxyl terminated organo-functional PDMS     (mol. wt. ˜2800). -   TEGOMER H-Si 2311=Linear hydoxy terminated organo-functional PDMS     (mol. wt. ˜2500).

The results of the formulation evaluations are set forth below in each of Tables 2-14.

In Tables 2-14, Adducts AC, V, H, U1, U2, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, N, O1, O2, and O3, respectively, have been evaluated on grit blasted mild steel impact peel test coupons of a 0.8 mm thickness in accordance with ISO 11343, using a bondline thickness of 0.25 mm for wedge impact performance at least one of room temperature, −20° C. and −40° C., for dynamic resistance and impact energy.

TABLE 2 Sample Nos. A Wedge Impact @ AC-I AC-II AC-III AC-IV AC-V B Room Dynamic Resistance — — 17.67  28.85  18.69  23.11 Temperature (N/mm) −20° C. — — 7.29 17.13  7.52 18.68 −40° C. — — — 2.75 — 2.14 Room Impact Energy — — 5.87 9.57 5.94 7.66 Temperature (Joules) −20° C. — — 1.91 4.89 1.91 5.67 −40° C. — — — 0.63 — 0.49

TABLE 3 Sample Nos. A Wedge Impact @ U1-I U1-II U1-III U1-IV U1-V B Room Dynamic — — — 7.78 — — Temperature Resistance (N/mm) −20° C. — — — — — — −40° C. — — — — — — Room Impact — — — 2.01 — — Temperature Energy −20° C. (Joules) — — — — — — −40° C. — — — — — —

TABLE 4 Sample Nos. A Wedge Impact @ H-I H-II H-III H-IV H-V B Room Dynamic — — 1.60 — — — Temperature Resistance (N/mm) −20° C. — — — — — — −40° C. — — — — — — Room Impact — — 0.39 — — — Temperature Energy (Joules) −20° C. — — — — — — −40° C. — — — — — —

TABLE 5 Sample Nos. A Wedge Impact @ U2-I U2-II U2-III U2-IV U2-V B Room Dynamic — — — 6.82 — — Temperature Resistance −20° C. (N/mm) −40° C. Room Impact — — — 1.90 — — Temperature Energy −20° C. (Joules) — — — — — — −40° C. — — — — — —

TABLE 6 Sample Nos. A M1- Wedge Impact @ M1-I M1-II III M1-IV M1-V B Room Dynamic 9.46 8.43 17.55 21.52 27.85 11.94 Temperature Resistance −20° C. (N/mm) — — — — — — −40° C. — — — — — — Room Impact 2.40 2.10  5.27  6.51  8.81  3.36 Temperature Energy −20° C. (Joules) — — — — — — −40° C. — — — — — —

TABLE 7 Sample Nos. A M2- Wedge Impact @ M2-I M2-II III M2-IV M2-V B Room Dynamic — — 9.81 17.49  17.65 3.16 Temperature Resistance −20° C. (N/mm) — — 3.62 3.62 — — −40° C. — — — — — — Room Impact — — 2.65 5.14  5.17 0.82 Temperature Energy −20° C. (Joules) — — 0.82 0.82 — — −40° C. — — — — — —

TABLE 8 Sample Nos. A Wedge Impact @ M8-I M8-II M8-III M8-IV M8-V B Room Dynamic — — — — 4.76 — Temperature Resistance −20° C. (N/mm) — — — — — — −40° C. — — — — — — Room Impact — — — — 1.24 — Temperature Energy −20° C. (Joules) — — — — — — −40° C. — — — — — —

TABLE 9 Sample Nos. A Wedge Impact @ M4-I M4-II M4-III M4-IV M4-V B Room Dynamic — — — 12.13 — — Temperature Resistance −20° C. (N/mm) — — — — — — −40° C. — — — — — — Room Impact — — —  3.27 — — Temperature Energy −20° C. (Joules) — — — — — — −40° C. — — — — — —

TABLE 10 Sample Nos. A Wedge Impact @ M5-I M5-II M5-III M5-IV M5-V B Room Dynamic Resistance 0 5.03   18.81 15.19 19.14  14.84 Temperature (N/mm) −20° C. — — 00 — 3.21 — −40° C. — — — — — — Room Impact Energy 0 1.37    5.77  4.58 6.14  4.13 Temperature (Joules) −20° C. — — 00 — 0.81 — −40° C. — — — — — —

The 00 indicates that the bonds created were evaluated but could be pulled apart manually, i.e. they had zero or 0.00 strength.

TABLE 11 Sample Nos. A Wedge Impact @ N6-I N6-II N6-III N6-IV N6-V B Room Dynamic — — — 7.77 — — Temperature Resistance −20° C. (N/mm) — — — — — — −40° C. — — — — — — Room Impact — — — 1.74 — — Temperature Energy −20° C. (Joules) — — — — — — −40° C. — — — — — —

TABLE 12 Sample Nos. A Wedge Impact @ O1-I O1-II O1-III O1-IV- O1-V B  Room Dynamic — 4.50 10.40 8.74 — — Temperature Resistance −20° C. (N/mm) — — — — — — −40° C. — — — — — — Room Impact — 1.10  2.69 2.30 — — Temperature Energy −20° C. (Joules) — — — — — — −40° C. — — — — — —

TABLE 13 Sample Nos. A Wedge Impact @ O7-I O7-II O7-III O7-IV O7-V B Room Dynamic Resistance — —   17.38 21.52    17.53 20.53 Temperature (N/mm) −20° C. — — 00 5.22 00 7.88 −40° C. — — — — 00 1.05 Room Impact Energy — —    5.49 7.01    5.47 6.81 Temperature (Joules) −20° C. — — 00 1.21 00 2.00 −40° C. — — — — 00 0.22

TABLE 14 Sample Nos. A Wedge Impact @ O3-I O3-II O3-III O3-IV O3-V B Room Dynamic — — — 7.34 — — Temperature Resistance −20° C. (N/mm) — — — — — — −40° C. — — — — — — Room Impact — — — 1.73 — — Temperature Energy −20° C. (Joules) — — — — — — −40° C. — — — — — —

Example 7

Adduct AE-1 was used to formulate epoxy compositions in the amount noted below in Table 15.

TABLE 15 Composition Sample No./Amt. (wt %) Type Identity 100 101 102 103 104 Epoxy EPON 828 80 70 60 50 40 Adduct Adduct AE-1 — 10 20 30 40 Epoxy CARDOLITE 2513 4 4 4 4 4 Diluent Silica AEROSIL R202 2 2 2 2 2 Filler Curative DICY 4 4 4 4 4 PHENURON 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15

Sample No. 100 is a control and was used for comparative purposes.

Each of Sample Nos. 100-104 were then cured for a period of time of 30 minutes at a temperature of 180° C. and evaluated for tensile shear strength and peel strength, the results of which are reported below in Table 16.

TABLE 16 Physical Property Tensile Shear Strength Tensile Peel Strength Sample No. (N/mm²) (N/mm) 100 22.52 1.681 101 36.43 3.42 102 32.52 8.257 103 23.09 9.282 104 13.33 7.93

Sample No. 100 shows poor T-peel strength, whereas progressively increasing the level. of Adduct AE in the compositions, such as to a level of 20-30 weight percent in Sample Nos. 102-103, increases both the tensile shear and T-peel strength, illustrating the usefulness of this adduct for toughening purposes.

Adduct AE was also used to formulate epoxy compositions with, and for comparison with, other toughening agents, as shown below in Table 17.

TABLE 17 Composite Sample No./Amt. (wt. %) Type Identity 105 106 107 108 109 Epoxy EPON 828 10 10 30 30 30 Toughener Adduct AE — 30 30 30 30 KANEKA MX 120* 50 50 — — — POLYDIS 3614 — — — 30 — Epox-JEFFAMINE Adduct** 30 — 30 — — Dow Adduct*** — — — — 30 Reactive Diluent CARDOLITE 2513 4 4 4 4 4 Silica Filler AEROSIL R202 2 2 2 2 2 Curative DICY 4 4 4 4 4 PHENURON 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 *masterbatch of 25 weight % nano-sized core-shell rubber in a matrix of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether epoxy resin, available commercially from Kaneka Corporation **Prepared in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,532 (Schenkel) ***Prepared in accordance with Examples 16-20 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,257 (Mulhaupt)

Sample No. 105 is a control and was used for comparative purposes.

Each of Sample Nos. 105-109 was evaluated for tensile shear strength and peel strength, the results of which are reported below in Table 18.

TABLE 18 Physical Property Sample No. Tensile Shear (N/mm²) Tensile Peel (N/mm) 105 38.4 12.154 106 21.3 10.889 107 16.5 11.498 108 15.2 9.851 109 6.2 8.003

The results in Table 18 demonstrate the utility of Adduct AE as a co-toughener with the listed and evaluated tougheners. More specifically, when used in conjunction with either KANEKA MX 120 core shell rubber or the epoxy-JEFFAMINE adduct excellent T-peel strength values are attained compared to the control, although the tensile shear values appear to be negatively impacted.

Example 8

Blends of JEFFAMINE D2000 and 10%, 20% and 50% molar equivalents of DMS A12 (aminopropyl terminated PDMS, mol. wt. 800-1100) were each reacted with an appropriate amount of CBC to afford a resinous product consisting of a mixture of CBC blocked JEFFAMINE D2000 with 10%, 20% and 50% of CBC blocked PDMS as follows:

The resulting adduct is referred to as Adduct AD.

Tables 19A and 19B provide formulation information of samples prepared with CBC blocked JEFFAMINE and Adduct AD.

TABLE 19A Constituent Sample Nos./Amt. (wt %) Type Identity 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 Epoxy EPON 828 60 80 70 60 50 80 70 Toughener CBC Blocked 30 — — — — — — JEFFAMINE Adduct AD-1 — 10 20 30 40 — — Adduct AD-2 — — — — — 10 20 Adduct AD-3 — — — — — — — Reactive Diluent CARDOLITE 2513 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Silica Filler AEROSIL R202 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Curative DICY 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 PHENURON 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15

TABLE 19B Constituent Sample Nos./Amt. (wt %) Type Identity 117 118 119 120 121 122 Epoxy EPON 828 60 50 80 70 60 50 Toughener CBC Blocked — — — — — — JEFFAMINE Adduct AD-1 — — — — — — Adduct AD-2 30 40 — — — — Adduct AD-3 — — 10 20 30 40 Reactive CARDOLITE 4 4 4 4 4 4 Diluent 2513 Silica AEROSIL 2 2 2 2 2 2 Filler R202 Curative DICY 4 4 4 4 4 4 PHENURON 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15

Sample No. 110 is a control and is used for comparative purposes. Table 20 below provides T peel and tensile shear strength performance with Adducts AD-1, 2 and 3 in epoxy formulations, demonstrating the ability of those adducts to toughen such formulations.

TABLE 20 Physical Sample Nos. Property 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 T-Peel 8.12 0.7 8.2 9.6 9.7 1.0 1.9 6.1 8.5 2.1 5.9 6.0 3.5 (N/mm) Tensile — 6 2 8 0 1 4 0 6 1 3 1 6 Shear (N/mm²) GBMS 30 mins. @ 180° C.

The T peel and tensile shear strength evaluations were performed in accordance with the following respective parameters:

180° Tensile Peel

ASTM D1876

-   Specimens: Grit Blasted Mild Steel (GBMS), 1.00 mm substrate     thickness -   Bondline: 0.25 mm, -   Testing rate: 200 mm/min -   Test temperature: Ambient, 0, −10, −20, −30, −40° C.     Tensile Lap Shear -   ASTM D1002 -   Specimens: Grit Blasted Mild Steel (GBMS), 1.6 mm substrate     thickness -   Bondline: 0.05 mm -   Testing rate: 200 mm/min -   Test temperature: Ambient

Use of this adduct provides a means of incorporating a PDMS into the cured epoxy network via the masked isocyanate functionality which is unblocked during cure. 

1. An adduct represented by the structure:


2. An adduct represented by the structure:


3. A curable composition comprising: a. a thermosetting component; and b. an adduct according to claim
 1. 4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the thermosetting component is a member selected from the group consisting of epoxies, episulfides, benzozaxines and combinations thereof.
 5. The composition of claim 3, wherein the thermosetting component is a member selected from the group consisting of

wherein o is 1-4, X is selected from a direct bond (when o is 2), alkyl (when o is 1), alkylene (when o is 2-4), carbonyl (when o is 2), thiol (when o is 1), thioether (when o is 2) sulfoxide (when o is 2), and sulfone (when o is 2), R₁ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl alkenyl and aryl, and R₄ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl and alkenyl;

wherein p is 2,Y is selected from biphenyl (when p is 2), diphenyl methane (when p is 2), diphenyl isopropane (when p is 2), diphenyl sulfide (when p is 2), diphenyl sulfoxide (when p is 2), diphenyl sulfone (when p is 2), and diphenyl ketone (when p is 2), and R₄ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl and alkenyl.
 6. The composition of claim 3, further comprising a toughener.
 7. A curable composition comprising: a. a thermosetting component; and b. an adduct according to claim
 2. 8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the thermosetting component is a member selected from the group consisting of epoxies, episulfides, benzozaxines and combinations thereof. 